The World of Tinnitus

You often hear a ringing sensation in your ears which goes away after a while. But what if that buzzing sound stayed with you for an hour, then a day, then a week?! What if the ringing sound got more severe and refused to go away?

Before long, that sound would begin to take over your life and diminish your ability to function and pay attention to daily tasks. It can even hamper your physical and psychological health over time, so that sound may require some attention on your part.

The Harvard Health Publications reports that tinnitus is a prevalent condition in America, with around 60 million people in America being afflicted by it. There are various detrimental effects that come along with Tinnitus that are worth being aware of.

A potential cause for tinnitus is prolonged exposure to noise as well as side effects of certain types of medications. Other causes include certain medical ailments such as hypertension, infections of the ear, or neurological disorders. These medical conditions can result in deterioration of the hair follicles within your inner ear which can result in tinnitus.

Additional causes of tinnitus include aging, accumulation of cerumen (earwax), head trauma, and sinusitis. Tinnitus might be fleeting in nature or may become permanent. It is generally a symptom of an underlying health condition and should never be ignored.

Tinnitus has several negative psychosocial effects in the short term, including social isolation, attention disruption, sleep deprivation, and heightened sound sensitivity. Long term effects of tinnitus include depression, anxiety, fatigue, and lowered productivity in the workplace.

Even though tinnitus may start off as an innocent ringing in the ears, it can lead to bigger and more serious problems if ignored. If you have been experiencing tinnitus for a while now, it is time to consult a medical professional to rule out any other health issue that you may be having.